To know love fully is not about giving of yourself alone but also receiving of others the love they know how to give. Sometimes... we get so wrapped up in our sharing and giving of ourselves we fail to slow down and embrace the love we have received from others. Love is as natural as breathing... we breathe in taking in the fresh air of a cool winter day and we ex-hale giving back what we took and it so often is taken for granted without realizing that the air we breathe is like the love we take and return. It is the natural order of things and exemplifies the breath of life that is God in us. Let the love of Christ that binds us be as free to impart its life giving attributes upon others that more may know the love of God in us and that God may be glorified and be seen shining ever so brightly in our faith filled lives. Let it never be said that the love of Christ we share is taken for granted but that what we receive freely in love is also freely shared with others so that all things may be made clean to us.

 1 John 3:23-24 "And this is his commandment, That we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as he gave us commandment. And he that keepeth his commandments dwelleth in him, and he in him. And hereby we know that he abideth in us, by the Spirit, which he hath given us."

Luke 11:41 "But rather give alms of such things as ye have; and, behold, all things are clean unto you."

Revelation 3:19-22 "As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent. Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any men hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him and he with me. To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches."

John 14:15-21 "If ye love me, keep my commandments. And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it sees him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you. I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.  Yet a little while and the world see me no more; but ye see me: because I live, ye shall live also. At that day ye shall know that I am in my Father, and ye in me, and I in you. He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him."

John 17:13-24 "And now come I to thee; and these things I speak in the world, that they might have my joy fulfilled in themselves. I have given them thy word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. I pray not that thou should take them out of the world, but that thou should keep them from the evil. They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth. As thou hast sent me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world. And for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they also might be sanctified through the truth.  Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word; That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me. And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one: I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me. Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me: for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world."

2 John 1:6 "And this is love, that we walk after his commandments. This is the commandment, That, as ye have heard from the beginning, ye should walk in it."

1 John 4:17-18 "Herein is love made perfect with us, that we may have boldness in the Day of Judgment; because as he is, even so are we in this world. There is no fear in love: but perfect love casts out fear, because fear hath punishment; and he that fears is not made perfect in love." In the above verses, love and obedience are interchangeable thereby showing that the two concepts are inexorably tied together. When I was a child growing up and learning a form of discipline from my parents, I remember clearly how I felt when I had disobeyed or done something I knew was wrong. I remember the fears associated with being "caught" or what if my mother or father "found out?" This kind of fear was very troubling to me and acted like a conviction upon my heart because I knew there would be degrees of punishment for my transgression. As it always happened, my parents always discovered my transgression, followed through on their "promised punishment" and by the time I was 15 years old, I understood that obedience was the way to escape punishment. The fears associated with certain punishment escaped me when I simply chose to obey. From that time forward, I learned never to disobey or lie to my parents about anything ever again. So in this context, if you interchange the word love with the word obedience, you have the same effect and definition. This revelation came to me many years ago and helped me to understand the words of Christ; "If you love me you will obey me." Therefore, one can also say, "he that fears is not made perfect in obedience." 1 John 4:19 "We love, because he first loved us." Verse 19 then is also saying that He who came to do the Father's will first, did such so that we will also learn to do the Father's will. Jesus was the perfect example of love and obedience and became the very definition of such. He was always about doing the Father's business, as we should also be.

1 Corinthians 13:4-13 "Charity (love) suffers long, and is kind; charity (love) envies not; charity (love) vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinks no evil; Rejoices not in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Charity (love) never fails: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there are tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away.  For we know in part, and we prophesy in part. But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.  When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things.  For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.  And now abideth faith, hope, charity (love), these three; but the greatest of these is charity (love)."

The Kingdom of GOD is at Hand!

The kingdom of God is at hand and the great apostasy is being revealed. The realities stirring around you are the necessary issues being made known, revealed by the Spirit of God, waking those who have long slumbered. These realities are becoming more and more apparent to many that have become sons of God with purified hearts.

For many, the mountain that once could not be touched rises above the foothills and is seen by the multitude marching through the valley of decision. Those with a genuine faith will march towards it preferring the company of adversity and strife to the condemnation of following the path of least resistance and indifference. Here, decisiveness merits reward while in-decision warrants condemnation. To touch or not to touch, that becomes the question begging answer. The path before those who choose to go forward is an upward climb with increased resistance but one that promises great rewards for those who overcome. Come all ye who believe, climb the mountain with me.

Hebrews 12:22-23 "But ye are come unto mount Zion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels, To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect."

God's untouchable mountain is in sight and may only be approached by those who will turn off the broad highway and change their direction (genuine repentance) toward it. All of today's generations that have been deceived and led astray by the corruption of pride and selfish living and man made religion now have the opportunity to stop, turn, take a look around and see what's going down. Those with discernment can see the kingdom of God coming into full view through the darkness surrounding our planet.
A holy people are being called forth, being separated from the rest as wheat from tares, a last generation of children called for this very time, the time of the end. These are a people made holy by the indwelling Holy Spirit of God after the pattern of God's Son, Jesus the Christ. These are a people who are separated from all worldliness and human religion. These are a people reborn, in whom all things are made new. A people with purified hearts in whom there is no guile found. These are a people who have clear vision and the kingdom of God in full view. They see the hour is at hand and some among them, my brethren, are crying out from the wilderness and wastelands. These are a people who are delivered from their past lives of worthless religion and self worship to press upward towards the higher calling and righteousness of God in Christ.

Psalms 24:3-6 "Who shall ascend into the hill of the LORD? or who shall stand in his holy place? He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully.  He shall receive the blessing from the LORD, and righteousness from the God of his salvation. This is the generation of them that seek him, that seek thy face, O Jacob." Selah.

Man's religion has made a mockery of the "born again" experience. Those who are genuinely and spiritually born again assume radically new and different life styles. Scripture reminds us that our natural birth was from the corruptible seed of the first Adam and our spiritual birth is from the incorruptible seed of Christ Jesus through the living Word of God. A spiritually mature born again soul is purified by the Spirit of Christ into purity and a Godfearing love.

Only those who are truly born again can possibly see the kingdom of God. Those who will recognize the kingdom of God and see it for what it truly is will turn from their path of lusts and pleasures, seeking selfish glory and man made religion and move toward the glorious light and the New Jerusalem and the life that awaits them in the Kingdom of God.

John 3:3 Jesus answered and said to him, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God."

1 Pet 1:22-23: "Since you have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit in sincere love of the brethren, love one another fervently with a pure heart, having been born again, not of corruptible seed but incorruptible, through the word of God which lives and abides forever."

There are far too many who still believe they were "born again" when they joined a church or prayed a sinners prayer or performed some religious work yet have continued living a self-centered lifestyle and seek for more. Only a few are now being truly born again into a life of intimate spiritual oneness with God in the Holy Spirit. These are the ones who can see the New Jerusalem coming and the Kingdom's glorious potential and are moving toward it with strength, courage and self-abandonment. Recognizing and accepting that the Kingdom of God is "at hand" motivates people toward real repentance. Genuine repentance is a total surrender and accepting the death to all that is not of God. To be "holy" as God calls you means to be separate. This describes a true new birth (resurrection) experience and entrance into a pure and holy life in Christ and the Holy Spirit. Repentance is evidence of renewal and a life of leaving your past behind you and pressing onward toward the goal of the high calling to become one with God after the pattern of Christ Jesus. To intimately know Him and be intimately known of Him - to be truly born of God and welcomed into His household as mature sons of God and to be in the world as Christ was/is in the world. Jesus said, "Yea, I send you out as sheep amidst the wolves."

"There will be no more delay for the time is at hand," declares the Spirit in me.

Our Lord and Father and His new generation of children with purified hearts have long tolerated the weak and idolatrous religions of mankind and the resulting immoral pleasures and corruption spawned by man-made precepts and doctrines. For a long time there appeared to be hope and a chance for repentance for the perverted clergy and religious works taught by the self-righteous and misguided teachers of adultery. But now that the Kingdom of God is at hand and in full view there is no more room for tolerance of evil objective, indifference and passivity towards the Kingdom of God and His righteousness. Your religious, human compassion for the dead must become a renewed spiritual passion for the living. "Let the dead bury the dead." Of those for whom the Kingdom is seen, it is not our duty to bury the dead systems of man's religion that fathered us into spiritual adultery and idolatry of every sort. Our part is in "first seeking the Kingdom of God and His righteousness." If you hear the call of discipleship, you must follow Jesus and the path He laid before us to the New Jerusalem and the Kingdom of your eternal inheritance.

Mat 8:22 "But Jesus said to him, "Follow Me, and let the dead bury their own dead."

Luke 9:60 Jesus said to him, "Let the dead bury their own dead, but you go and preach the kingdom of God."

The love of Christ compels us to follow Him and take up our cross (burden) of repentance from dead works which includes dead religion of mankind. Christ died for all and rose again, so that those who live should no longer live for themselves but instead allow for the resurrected Christ to live within them. This is a full surrender!

2 Cor 5:14-15 "For the love of Christ compels us, because we judge thus: that if One died for all, then all died; and He died for all, that those who live should live no longer for themselves, but for Him who died for them and rose again."

Gal 2:20 "I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me."

For the love of Christ flows through the hearts and minds and lives of the redeemed whom Christ indwells. God's love is foundational and remains the most powerful force of His kingdom. Its power is the only force that will destroy the increasing darkness and forces of evil filling the earth with the glorious light of His righteousness. To fight hate with unrighteous hatreds and evil with evil only produces more fear which leads to increased anger and wrath producing more hatred, evil and much needless (unjust) suffering. God said let vengeance be His and to keep our hands unstained with shed blood and the ways of the world!
God is love and in Him there is no darkness at all. There is NO evil in Christ. Death is overcome in Christ. There can be no sin and no sickness in the resurrected Christ. Christ Jesus is our life. He suffered death at the stake (cross) on our behalf and for our example so that we would gain life in our death and resurrection. It is not the dead Jesus on the cross that indwells sons of God, It is the resurrected Christ that abides in the true sons of God and it is the resurrected Christ in whom they abide. For through Christ, the sting of death has been overcome.

Phil 1:19-21: "For I know that this will turn out for my deliverance through your prayer and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, according to my earnest expectation and hope that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ will be magnified in my body, whether by life or by death. For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain."

In the truly born again son, the new life is Christ. Therefore there is NO evil in this new life. There is NO transgression counted against us in this new life. There is NO sin in the Spirit of Christ Jesus and the Spirit of Christ is the renewed life of the born again Son of God. Only those who say they are born again and love God but continue in their sinful ways are deceived and perpetual liars. Those who still practice hatred for a brother exhibiting selfish attributes like pride, and arrogance, which spawn hatred, do not have the Spirit of Christ and are not truly born again. Many clergy are among them but they are mere hirelings of reprobate mind teaching that which opposes Christ. You have been warned again and again of this truth, do not disregard it for your indifference will likely be a snare unto you, a rock over which one stumbles causing many to be caught by the enemy's trap.

Repentance is NOT a one-time event. Repentance is a process of dying to self and all the attributes of self and seeking the life of Christ which is in those who are hungering and thirsting for righteousness, humility and desiring selfless living. Becoming a "new creature" and living the "born again" experience is a process of repentance leading one to death of self and allowing oneself to be redirected by God to life eternal. The truly redeemed person becomes aware of his spiritual immortality and disregards the mortal arguments made by men of depraved mind thinking themselves to be evolved gods in flesh. The "new creature" will meet the cross of death (repentance) daily and participate in the resurrection life of Christ. This is a process where sin is fully dealt with and no longer has any power over us and neither does it abide with us because the enmity is put to death. Lust and pride are destroyed in the continuing process of repentance (death) and the continuing experience of re-birth (resurrection). Again, this is not a one-time event but it is a process, which takes place in the new life you have been given. Your word and deed will show forth the evidence of your renewal and the life you lead will show evidence that the Word of God is being fulfilled in you and through you. A truly redeemed man will confess, "It is not I who lives but Christ who lives in me," and will bring forth the fruit meet for repentance.

The evidence of your renewal is in accepting fully that the kingdom of God is righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. This Kingdom is not a Kingdom established by men over which much blood is shed. It is a spiritual Kingdom established by God in ages past and one that is ever lasting. Yet, the Kingdom of God is not internal only but also manifested in the external. "The Kingdom of God is inside you and all around you not in buildings made of wood and stone." The external evidence that God's Kingdom is overcoming are found in the small vestiges of hope where the rule and reign of righteousness, peace and joy of God is manifested unto the earth through the sons of God who have relationship with God in the Holy Spirit. This is Christ manifested in the flesh of men living in harmony with the Holy Spirit. They are mature sons governing the earth with the love and wisdom of God yet are still largely rejected and ignored today by the darker forces, powers and principalities of this world. By living according to the standards set forth by Christ Jesus, they pursuade others to do the same fully utilizing their liberty of speech thereby increasing the numbers of men to the harvest before the appointed day of judgment. This is now the time that the sons of God are being awakened from their long slumber, a time that Hosea called a reviving just prior to being raised up. Hear all sons of men what the Spirit of God is saying to the all the churches!

For in Christ, no man can take another man's freedom of speech away. The free man will speak out in the middle of protests and rioting and consider not the threats made against him for speaking his mind and heart. He speaks with all boldness and courage and he whose voice is heard is the one who speaks with unwavering faith and tenacity towards Christ and the Kingdom of God's unyielding righteousness. He speaks freely without regard for his own life or fear of what the angry masses will do to him. When the Holy Spirit gives utterance to a man, the man's voice thunders above all the noisy masses surrounding him and is heard by a few having ears to understand. The voice of God is then joined by those finding agreement but the numbers of those in agreement are still a minority to the larger masses seeking their own without regard to their neighbor. This is a scene that has played out countless times over the centuries regarding men who spoke with bold faith, courage and conviction. These are times where you will see these scenes play out again and again until our voice is heard no more.

At some point in the near future, all that are numbered among the brethren in Christ will be taken up and the ones left behind will look with great wonder and question their mortality. At last, two final witnesses will appear speaking the bold utterances of God bringing condemnation upon all that did not believe and those who reject the righteousness of God shall kill them. As did all the unbelievers perish in the flood so too shall all them that believed not upon the Saviour perish in the fiery baptism which will once again cleanse the earth of all filthiness and every unclean spirit, thought and deed. A multitude from among the nations (Gentiles) and a faithful remnant of Israel will be at last saved from their oppressors and accusers and be kept by God for that time where peace will finally be restored and all the nations of people who believed upon Jesus shall eat from the tree of life and be healed by it's leaves. Sickness and disease shall no longer afflict us. Anger and hatred shall no longer be an enmity between us and the Lord our God shall once again be among us and rule and reign for a thousand years of promised tranquility. The New Jerusalem will have taken its rightful place and will no longer be defiled by mankind's apostate religion. The glory of God will shine forth from the city and be upon all the people whom God chose for Himself, a holy nation, forevermore in God's presence and grace. This is the love that holds us and the faith that binds us together. These are the promises for which we have long awaited and soon, very soon it shall finally come to pass. To embrace this prophecy and accept the inevitable outcome is to fully know the love of God. Yearn for it with great anticipation and abiding hope for it will surely come to pass. The third day is now about upon us and this is the day when Jesus promised we would be taken up and also the day that His return shall be seen and witnessed by all. To Christ Jesus and God our Father be all the glory, honor and dominion forever after." AMEN

Hosea 6:1-3 "Come, and let us return unto the LORD: for he hath torn, and he will heal us; he hath smitten, and he will bind us up. After two days will he revive us: in the third day he will raise us up, and we shall live in his sight. Then shall we know, if we follow on to know the LORD: his going forth is prepared as the morning; and he shall come unto us as the rain, as the latter and former rain unto the earth."

Revelation 22:1-7 "And he showed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb. In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. And there shall be no more curse: but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it; and his servants shall serve him: And they shall see his face; and his name shall be in their foreheads. And there shall be no night there; and they need no candle, neither light of the sun; for the Lord God giveth them light: and they shall reign forever and ever. And he said unto me, These sayings are faithful and true: and the Lord God of the holy prophets sent his angel to show unto his servants the things, which must shortly be done. "Behold, I come quickly: blessed is he that keepeth the sayings of the prophecy of this book."

Revelation 22:12-13 "And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last."

May the grace of our Lord Jesus be with all my true brethren in Christ for He says, "I am coming quickly."

Believing the Rapture is a matter of One's Faith and the Word bears this out!

Nowhere in scripture is it clearer that there will be a rapture of some sort than it is in Paul's writings. Paul was speaking from the context of revelation. This revelation was not a personal revelation necessarily but was shared and discussed among the elders (fellow Apostles) and what they understood was largely substantiated by what Jesus had already proclaimed. Now Paul was not with Jesus while Jesus walked the earth in the company of the other Apostles - then disciples - but Jesus was most certainly with Paul in Spirit. He was with Paul in Spirit from the day of his conversion forward. Now anyone that undergoes that kind of spiritual awakening and life changing event becomes spiritually attuned to that which convicts the heart; the Holy Spirit.

The inclusion of Paul's prolific writings to the cannon of scripture, though chosen by early RCC bishops did not make Paul's writings the work of the RCC. Paul's writings were his and his alone and as they indicated, were largely written for the Gentiles too. Paul, moreso than the other Apostles, was called to witness to the Gentiles who had repented and believed upon Christ Jesus. Before Paul, more attention was given to the fellow countrymen of the first disciples who were Jews even though Peter was first led to begin ministering to and accepting Gentiles into God's New Covenant. You should remember that at first there was some contention between the other Apostles and Paul about this very issue. The outcome of accepting Gentiles into God's New Covenant was an act of God's grace and it was thus recorded in the very first council meeting held in Jerusalem about 50 AD. Note that though Paul did live among the Romans preaching Christ crucified, he did not serve as a Catholic Bishop because at that time the Catholic Church was not in existence and neither was there a papacy present. Be careful about this because some arguments presented by others assume the RCC's illegitimate claim to the Apostolic Ministry and succession of Apostle Peter by the Popes. All that is garbage and there is no direct correlation between the Apostles and the formation of the early RCC except the inclusion of early Christian precepts into a form of legalized Christianity first established by the first Christian Emperor of Rome, Constantine. It was then the RCC had its initial formation.

Now having established proper context, let's look at what authority Paul spoke with regarding the taking up of the dead and living (rapture) and lets allow the whole of scripture to substantiate itself so that there can be no argument whatsoever! Please remember that the fallen spirits of man and beast desire in these last days to sway you from the eternal knowledge and revelation of truth exhorted by our beloved Lord and His Apostles. Therefore I say be very careful about what arguments you attend your ear to. In II Cor. verse 5:1, Paul uses the words, "For we know." Notice that he does not speak in the singular but he speaks in the plural meaning that what he exhorted was a shared belief among all the brethren (disciples & Apostles). The phrase "we know" is translated from the Greek word oidamen (1492), meaning, "to know intuitively" as a result of being a child of God. It is the knowledge that accompanies the "new birth" in Christ Jesus and was shared among the elders.

1 Corinthians 15:51-58 "Behold, I show you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?   The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord."

In order to fully understand the above verse you must also look at the same usage of words in their appropriate context as seen in the book of 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17. "For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord."

There are two important Greek words used in the above verses. The first is harpagesometha, translated as "caught up." This refers to a specific moment in the future when Christ Jesus will catch up believers as He descends from heaven. The other word is "meet" translated from the Greek phrase eis apantesin (1519, 539) which means "to come into the presence of, to meet." This occurs after the dead have been raised (I Thess 4:16-17). Then the bodies of those who are alive will be transformed into new bodies (See II Cor. 5:1).

2 Corinthians 5:1 "For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens."

"... if our earthly house of this tabernacle (tent)..." What Paul is saying here is that the Spirit is the real person found in the body. The body is represented by the Greek word skenon (4633) meaning "tent" which refers to the material portion of a person. Paul continues to explain that though this earthly body ("house") will be "dissolved," God has promised that there will be a "building of God." Though this is a literal description of the death of a mortal body, it is intended for the believer to be encouragement as he looks at death. The word that is translated as "building," is the Greek word oikodomen (3619) which means "the process of building something." The basic idea here is that God is building a new house for the believer's spirit, which will be disembodied at the point of death, leaving the body remaining on earth. This indicates that God will create something "new." John 14:2 "In my Father's house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you." Then Paul uses the word, oikian (3614), "dwelling place," which refers to the completion of the "eternal body." There are two qualities of this new body that must be understood. First, it will be similar to the present one and identifiable, yet not identical because it is not going to be made by human hands, but God will produce it. The word translated "not made with hands" is acheiropoieton (886). This is the same word that the Lord used in Mark 14:58 when He spoke of "destroying the temple," Which was made by the hands of men, and in three days, building another not made by the hands of man. Though Christ was literally speaking of His body during the resurrection, He was also speaking of a pattern and type of the "body of believers" that would also be risen in three days. For we who are gathered unto Christ are "the Church of the first born," not mere believers but the very "temple" in which God chooses to dwell. This is confirmed by the prophet Hosea 6:1-2 "Come, and let us return unto the LORD: for he hath torn, and he will heal us; he hath smitten, and he will bind us up. After two days will he revive us: in the third day he will raise us up, and we shall live in his sight."

Are you still intertwined in the Religious Matrix?

Few will admit to the truth that Jesus came against the established religions of man. In fact, He was and still is, very disappointed and angry for the lack of faith and understanding that people have regarding Him. He rebuked his own disciples constantly for their lack of faith and understanding and also revealed to us "who" sits upon the throne of man's religion (see Revelations) exalting himself as being God... none other than Satan. Satan thoroughly corrupted Jewry and has since thoroughly corrupted the Gentile Religions - Christianity. Because of Satan, there has always been discord among believers. Because of Satan, men seat themselves upon thrones, i.e. the Papacy, keeping pharisism (Nicolaitism) alive (see Revelations) and have thoroughly corrupted the faith which believers were supposed to have in Christ alone. The result being that people put more faith in their religion and their religious leaders without contrasting those examples with the pattern and teaching of Christ Jesus. This has further become a fulfillment of a prophetic Word given by Jesus where every house that is divided against itself will surely fall. I'm sure that many had an excuse during the Dark Ages because few were educated and could read the Bible for themselves. But what excuse do people have today? Almost everybody can read but few will venture forth to make a diligent attempt at studying the scriptures and ask the harder questions. That takes a great deal of effort and few will question what they hear or see, rather, they are more or less inclined to simply believe a preacher without scrutiny merely because he is said to be qualified. Today, it is much easier to listen to a pastor or priest give a sermon than to open the Word of God and compare that man's sermon with what God teaches us in the scriptures. It is not a question of agreeing or disagreeing with me...but is a matter of testing all things by the Spirit of truth and choosing to accept or deny what the Spirit of truth reveals (the Word). I am nothing but what God has fashioned me to be... a disciple of Christ Jesus. And what is a disciple?

Answer: a disciple is the literal definition for Christian based on the historical account given in the Book of Acts that the disciples were first called Christians in the city of Antioch. That term "Christian" by the way was first intended as a slur, a mocking word pronounced against those followers of Jesus. Many people believe and say with their lips, "Jesus is Lord" but how many actually forsake, abandon and separate themselves from "so-called brethren," "so-called churches" and "so-called religion" to truly make Jesus their Lord thereby becoming children of God and allowing God to truly be their one and only God?

2 Corinthians 6:14-18 "Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty."

That is just one passage confirming what I stand for and what I proclaim boldly to the world. There are many such passages that verify this command of God but few can understand it because the Word is always spoken or taught "out of context" within the maligned churches of man. Jesus didn't command, 'go to church.' He said, "You are the Church." Jesus said that upon Cephas (Peter), His Church would be built. Quite literally, Jesus was saying that upon Peter's apostolic leadership, Christ would form His true Church... "All those who gather and disciple after Jesus." This is not a Catholic thing. This is not a Protestant thing. This is not a religious thing. This is a calling, a way of life whereby one leaves behind the things that are old, dead and dying and puts on the new self being reborn into a new life, one where Jesus emanates His very being and Spirit and continues the work that He first began 2000 years ago. We are called to the Church of the first born and are called the Church of the living God. There is no temple nor temple worship as in the days of old but we are the temple of the living God and He dwells in those who obey Him and live for Him day and night. We are His subjects and we seek His bidding and serve in His court. Our lives are no longer lived for ourselves but we seek our Lord's will in everything we do everyday. That is the life of a disciple. It is a life that goes beyond mere belief and transforms an individual into a living witness and testimony of "Christ in flesh;" yes, even today.

It is not my mission to offend you or belittle you in any way. It is however my mission to warn you, educate you and reason with you that there is a BIG difference between what religious indifference propagates and what dying to self so that Christ may live in you and work through you accomplishes. While there are billions of deluded pretenders upon this planet wandering in darkness who think or call themselves Christian and professing to have knowledge, there are but a few who have escaped the darkness and entered the light only to be faced with apathy, indifference, hatreds and many persecutions waged entirely by the Church of man in an attempt to discredit the selfless sacrifice that Jesus gave upon the cross for both you and I to follow and pattern our lives after. I refuse affiliation to any religious order of man, Catholic or Protestant, because my alliance to God shall not be divided in any way shape or form. I am as free to do my Lord's bidding as the Father's Holy Spirit guides and instructs. But my freedom is limited only to my submission and surrender to Christ's authority who showed me the way, the truth and became for me a light to shine upon the Gentile Nations so that others may also see the on-going witness of Christ in flesh. The message I bear is His and "the testimony of Christ Jesus in my life is the Spirit of prophecy."

Many are right about the Protestant rebellion. Rebellion exists though because of the first rebellious spirit under which most are still subjected to. You know who he is. That is why I will have nothing to do with any affiliation to any religious order. My appointment and the authority by which I speak is granted me by the Son and the Father's Holy Spirit according to the promise Jesus gave. There is no other authority to which I am in subjection to except that, which was given by the Father. So, like you, I have to pay my taxes too but the many encumbering laws of man are not at present too much a burden to me because I live a right and just life and have no fear over what man may do to me. The adversity and degree of persecution in my life is proof that I am still walking the path, which Jesus laid out for me to follow. There is no other under whom I am surrendered... Both the Holy Spirit and the Son bear witness of me. I am Nicholas, a Godfearing man made messenger and Jesus is my LORD and SAVOUR.

Two men were commissioned by their Master to seek wandering sheep who appeared as goats and who had actually once belonged to their Master but had been kidnapped and stolen by an enemy through deceit. Their Master had told the two that there were many of these sheep who did not know their right hand from the left. Their Master also told them that short of these two laborers and the work of others like them, to rescue sheep which had become goats, they would shortly all fall off a great cliff to their destruction off the path on which they were grazing.

The Master told the two men, "Chasten the stiff necked and stubborn among these sheep who have become goats with the rod of my correction, warning them of the path of destruction and bind up the broken hearted among them which have already experienced the weight of my judgement. On these that are broken, pour oil and wine and bind up their wounds. Bring the sheep of both types to Me, into my barn "

And these two were sent together to rescue the sheep, which had become goats, the stiff necked and the broken from the sure path of destruction onto which they were headed. Before they headed off the last words of their Master were these: "Work together My sons (for their Master had adopted both these men as sons). For to each of you is given grace to render to My sheep, which are now goats, yet can become sheep again, the specific thing they need according to their kind for in this way many more sheep, which had become goats, will be rescued from their doom moreso than if you had worked alone and separately."

As they began to work together the very enemy who had kidnapped and stolen the Master's sheep and changed them into goats, came and stood between the two laborers. But they did not know who he was.
To the first man, the stranger said, "Are not all these goats then stiff necked and stubborn? You must strike them all with the Master's rod of correction lest they fall over the cliff to their destruction. "

Then he began to do as heard the stranger said. He did this alone and not with his fellow laborer. He had forgotten the words of his Master to stay with his brother and to care for the broken hearted. He found as he went, many of the stiff necked and stubborn sheep which had become arrogant goats responded to his message of warning and judgement and were then broken and moved away from the cliff and toward the barn of his master. But he had become blind to the sight of the already broken sheep, which had become goats and deaf to their cries for help. Some of them saw him as too strict and hard and would not come near to him. And being down cast and dejected many fell over the cliff to their doom.

To the other man, the stranger whispered these words, "Are not all the sheep of your Master which have been kidnapped downcast and broken, needing care and concern? Do they not all need their wounds bound so as to heal and be comforted in their weakness? Do they not all sense that they have done wrong? Is there any need to speak a word of warning to any of these sheep?"

Like his fellow laborer he went off alone heeding the words of the stranger. He found as he went that many of the broken sheep, which had become goats, were glad to hear his kind voice and were lead away from the cliff and were having their wounds healed and their broken hearts restored. But the stiff necked and stubborn sheep ignored him and he appeared also to ignore them and in some cases mock him. Many of those stubborn and stiff-necked sheep even said to him "We are doing very well thank you and we need no care from you." Our hearts are not broken and we are quite happy on the path, which we follow." And not desiring his care or concern they plunged, a great many of them over the cliff to their destruction.

From time to time the two laborers would meet and because they had forgotten the words of the Master to work together in rescuing the sheep, instead of rejoicing over the sheep each had rescued they argued and fought and thought wrong thoughts of each other because they believed the words of the stranger over the words of their Lord. Each thought that their method of rescuing sheep, which had become goats, was their Master's true method. And so each time they would part company, they said in their hearts, "When the Master returns we will see who has been doing His perfect will, I or my brother." And each thought that his own work would be pleasing to the Master.

Then there came a day when their Master returned and asked each of the laborers whom he had adopted as sons to give an account for the work they had done in rescuing the sheep, which had become goats, from the hand of the enemy and the path of destruction. The first man approached him and said, "Master, look how many of the stiff necked sheep have been broken by the rod of correction which you have placed in my hands and behold they are gathered here to become your sheep once again and be gathered into your barn."
And then the second man spoke up and said, "My Lord, look how many of the broken hearted sheep have been healed and have come to You to be loved by You and be gathered into Your barn."

And with tears in His eyes the Master spoke these words, "Oh my dear sheep which have been lost because you two have failed to listen to Me! Did I not tell you that it was best that you work together in this work? Look now over the cliff and see what your failure to do as I had instructed has allowed to happen."

The two men looked over the cliff's edge and they saw a horrible sight. Many, many, many sheep, which had been goats, both stiff necked and broken hearted, had fallen over the cliff and in the great pit below. Though they had fallen a great way, a great fire held them and though many tried to leap up out of the fiery pit they could not. And the two brothers saw the horrible sight and wept. Each looked into the eyes of their Master who also shed tears without number crying, "My sheep, My sheep, oh My lambs!"

Then two men fell on their faces before their Lord crying greatly and the first said, "Lord forgive me for my sin against You and my brother. Now I know why You commanded me to go with my brother. For You gave my brother the patience to work with the broken hearted and bind up their wounds so they could come back to You My Lord. Lord though I don't deserve a second chance please give me the opportunity to work with my brother to rescue the brokenhearted sheep too."

The Master said, "I will... now take your brother's hand."

The second man said, "Lord, forgive me, my sin against You and my brother now I know why You sent me with my brother into this work. For you gave my brother the rod of Your correction, Your holy Law, to show the unrighteous and stubborn goats their ways of rebellion so they too might become broken and be brought home to Your barn. I know I haven't seen it but I do see it now. I beg thee for your grace to work with my brother from now on to warn the stubborn and stiff necked sheep of their way of destruction."

The Master said, "I will ...now take your brother's hand."

Both men wept and asked each other to forgive the other for the foolish way they had acted and the Lord spoke these words over them: "Now you've seen the danger and destruction of not listening to My words. You have learned it was an enemy who separated you as brothers and fellow workers to save the sheep which have become goats. I charge you now in My Name to honor one another and honor Me by recognizing and respecting the gifts which I have placed in each of you. For no one is complete without the other. Such is true of all my laboring sons and daughters in the search and rescue mission I sent you on."

Moral of the story: No man is an island unto himself and each must recognize his brethren and work together. The above parable is prophetic and was submitted by a dear brother in Christ who wishes to remain anonymous. He desires that all glory, honor and dominion be to God for His boundless love.

With all sincerity and love for the truth and our scattered brethren abroad,
 
Nicholas A. Stivers, a humbled God fearing man, scribe and messenger.
Author; Apostasy Revealed published 2003 by Mountainview Publishing ISBN: 1-928602-92-4
http://nicholasscrolls.cephasministry.com
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